Need Help with Resolutions?

So here we are—three weeks into the New Year. You have set new goals, but since it is January you call them “resolutions”. Do your goals have to do with losing weight or finally getting back in shape (or maybe in shape for the first time ever), or lacing up your sneakers and going for it?

Have you stuck with them or already given up and abandoned them? Did you set realistic, attainable goals? Are your goals too big or too small?

If your goals are too big you may need to break them down into smaller, bite-size chunks so you can feel a sense of accomplishment before you feel defeated. If they are too small, then once you achieve them set new ones to push you harder.

Fall Changes: Leaves ...and... YOU

Fall is a beautiful time of year with so much transition.

Ahhh--Fall. So many changes take place in the fall. Weather begins to get crisp, leaves change color (at least in some parts of the country). As the weather changes people tend to stay indoors more and eat comfort food (much of which is loaded with fat), and often exercise less.

Is it time for you to make some changes too? You know the old saying "If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten." That saying especially holds true for health and fitness.

Is it time for you to make some changes? Is it time for you to take control of your health? Is it hard for you to imagine a life better than what it is now? Your life can be better, with better health. There can be more possibilities, more to look forward to, more moments to enjoy in each day. Everything is more enjoyable when you feel good. Let Fall be your season to change.

Would it be great if Fall meant the numbers on the scale fall and everything else goes up (motivation, confidence, self-esteem)? You could head into winter and the upcoming holidays ahead of the game, armed with your own determination to continue on a healthy path.

Do you need accountability, support, motivation?  Do you want to lose weight? Get healthy? Feel great?

Let's get's started now and call this OctoberFITfest!

Checkout the video below. If you need answers --let this be it.

Become a part of a small exclusive online group all working together, supporting, encouraging, motivating, dedicated to helping each other as we help ourselves. Workout on your own schedule. Get tips to help you eat healthy (a complete meal plan if you choose to use it). Follow the directions on the video but don't waste any time. Contact me to get going and we will have plenty to celebrate during our OctoberFITfest! (and beyond)

Are You Ready to Change YOUR Life?

Honoring 9/11 and a Very Special Husband

Honoring 9/11 and a very special husband

Bob Caldon was born 9/11 (1949)

His two childhood dogs passed away on 9/11

After enlisting in the army he was sent to Viet Nam

on 9/11

Two years later he was sent home

on 9/11

When he was hired on LBFD his badge number was 911

In his single days he owned a Porsche (of course it was a 911)

We were married on the 9th day of July (1983)

Our daughter was born in the 11th month

Our son was born on the 9th day of Jan.

Bob was called home to join loved ones in Heaven
on the 11th day of January, 2012

One of my all-time favorite pictures from years ago:
Our children, Kasey and Ky visiting Bob at the station

People that knew Bob, knew how much he loved his career on the Fire Department. They knew that he designed and sold bracelets (patterned after the P.O.W. bracelets) to raise money for the victims/surviving families of 9/11 Firefighters. Bob, along with a group of Firefighters from LBFD, flew to ground zero and presented a substantial amount raised while visiting the brotherhood in New York.

21 Day Beachbody Ultimate Reset-- My Summary

I have completed my 21-day journey on the Beachbody Ultimate Reset. But at the same time my journey has just begun. I have a fresh perspective and a new found appreciation for food the way it was intended to be consumed. Here is a brief summary of what I have experienced and learned through this process.

Why did I choose to participate in the Beachbody Ultimate Reset?

1. I wanted to take another step in taking care of my health.

2. Curiosity. I was curious; What would it feel like to rid my body of toxins? How much toxin have I really been storing in my body? How would it effect my stress level?  How hard would it be? How different would I feel? What would I miss?

3. Timing. I thought of using this as a stepping stone, my own reset (mind/attitude included). I viewed it as giving myself a fresh start, fresh perspective. Having been somewhat frozen by overwhelming personal issues this could be my push to get back on track.

4. I kept seeing so many others post their experience/ success with the program (the one post showing pictures with the difference in cellulite pre and post reset was especially intriguing) I thought "Why not me?"

BeachBody 21-day Ultimate Reset-- My Diary--Day 21

Day 21! Is it the end of the journey --or a new beginning?

The Final Showdown!

Breakfast - Enjoyed my beautiful fruit before I got back on the road for home. Today I added a few cherries and grapes.

Lunch - I had to plan for lunch on the road. I had plenty of shredded carrots but not all the ingredients for the carrot-seaweed medley (I am looking forward to trying it another time). So I made the Moroccan carrot salad I missed before I drove up a few days ago. It was easy to pull off the road and eat it. Also very tasty, again combinations I would not have thought of.

Dinner -  I may be sounding like a broken record. However, I have to admit again that dinner was easy to prepare and very tasty. I don't think I ever roasted vegetables in the summer before, I usually try to stay out of the hot kitchen as much as possible. I loved the combination of flavors and the simplicity. This continues to reinforce to me that it really isn't tougher or more time-consuming to eat healthy meals. It is warm enough today that it was great to have the avocado-cucumber soup chilled.

Dinner 21--satisfying, delicious, no frills

                                                                                                           I loved it.

For three weeks now I have been doing my body a favor from the inside out. I have gained so much more than simply weight loss or a notch on my belt. I have gained a new appreciation for food the way it is meant to be eaten. I have come to appreciate even more how simple it is to make heath a priority. I have absolutely enjoyed keeping my mind open to new foods and new combinations, and new ways to prepare. Not once did I get bored with recipes or miss any of the foods I omitted (okay, at first I would have loved a little dessert, but it is not important to me now)

Tomorrow I will get on the scale and I’m hoping I will get follow up lab work to compare my before and after results. And-oh yes, I think I may just start my day with fruit.

The Beachbody 21-Day Ultimate Reset--My Diary--Day 20

 The Ultimate Reset--Day 20--Phase III--Day 6 of RECOVER:

Heading into the home stretch.
Day 20 means tomorrow is the last day of my reset. I’d like to say now that I am very pleased with the way I am feeling. I understand now that it is not just my body that has been reset, but my mind as well. I don’t look at food in the same way at all. I never thought fruit alone for breakfast would sustain me (I was nervous when omitting the detox mixture that I wouldn’t be full enough). I never thought I would be okay with omitting dairy and animal protein. I didn't see how I would get enough protein in my daily diet. I didn't have any idea how great I would feel.

Breakfast- So today I am again enjoying my beautiful fruit breakfast. Every day it seems the fruit is more appealing, tasting sweeter.

Lunch: Jicama-Avocado Salad

Lunch - The jicama-avocado salad was super simple to make and a hit—one I know I will repeat. There was a long period of time in my adult life where I ate salads because I thought I needed to, not so much for health as weight loss. I have learned to really enjoy salads, often prefer them, and the variety of ideas in this program has been great.

Dinner- was also very simple; Asian stir-fry vegetables. I was still not at my own home so did not have all of the ingredients (almost all) so I am encouraged to make this again with all the spices. I had all the veggies but know it would have had more flavor with the sesame oil and fresh ginger. Still the plate of veggies was so colorful and appealing, and utterly satisfying. I braised kale to go along (don’t remember if I ever “braised” anything before). It was quick to cook; another trick to add to my cooking repertoire. I opted out of the brown rice with dinner, since I felt I didn't need it to be satisfied. I am anxious for tomorrow and the days/weeks ahead.

Dinner-- Asian Stir-Fry and Braised Greens

The Beachbody 21-Day Ultimate Reset--My Diary--Day 19

The Ultimate Reset--Day 19--Phase III--Day 5 of RESTORE:

 Traveling when you are on a special meal plan is always a challenge. Luckily I am traveling by car so I was able to bring with me what I need. It is not like I will be away from civilization either, there are plenty of choices for grocery stores nearby if I find I am missing anything important.

Breakfast- By now you know the drill—breakfast was, once again, a delicious bowl of fruit. Okay, ‘till now I have not missed anything but this morning there was coffee brewing and bacon cooking. Although they are both not important to me, or a part of my regular diet, the smell of both of them was awfully enticing.

Lunch- Today everyone was going for a walk by the creek and then stopping at a little café (one of my favorite places) for lunch. I stayed on track and ate my lunch before we left. Then I was able to sit and enjoy everyone's company while they ate their lunch.  I added bok choy and zucchini along with the green onions in the hearty vegetable miso soup. The micro-green salad I have had  so many times is still appealing. I finally had used up all the dressing and needed to make more.

Roasted beets, kale, and tempeh--not my favorite dinner

Dinner- So honestly tonight’s dinner was not my favorite on this program. If anyone had told me even six months ago that my dinner would be roasted beets, tempeh, and greens I wouldn’t have believed them. I didn’t feel like going to the store for collard greens so I substituted kale as my greens and still used coconut milk. I think the collard greens are a better combination with the coconut milk but it was still okay. In my opinion, the beets are much better when combined with other veggies such as in the roasted root medley recipe from before. Tonight felt more like I was eating simply because I needed to, and not for any measure of enjoyment (or even curiosity).

I am out-of-town at my mother’s house with my brother and niece and nephew (my kids are home working) so of course there is a surplus of cookies in a cookie jar—Isn’t that what grandmas do? As many times as the lid has come off that jar I have not been tempted. That is pretty amazing, and a wonderful feeling.